2024 ABCs of California Boating

Registration RegistRation

of ownership can be found on the reverse side of the Certificate of Ownership. Taxes: After you register, your vessel may be subject to a use tax based on the purchase price if it was acquired out of state or from a private party. For additional information regarding use taxes, contact your local Board of Equalization or DMV office. Although DMV is responsible for the collection of biennial vessel registration fees, boat owners may still be subject to annual local or county taxes. Boats are subject to personal property taxes assessed by the assessor in the county where your boat is principally located. Failure to pay personal property taxes assessed on a boat may result in the nonrenewal of your boat’s registration. Questions concerning taxes on boats should be directed to your county assessor. Registration fee information can be found at www.dmv.ca.gov/protal/dmv/detail/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffvr34 . Display of Numbers and Stickers Along with your boat registration number, DMV will also issue you a set of registration stickers. Numbers and stickers issued at the time of registration must be placed on each side of the forward half of the vessel, usually on the bow (see the figures below). Registration stickers must be securely affixed three inches aft of, and in line with, the registration numbers. The number must be visible from each side of the vessel. No other numbers, letters or devices may be placed in the vicinity of the state-assigned number. • To separate the numerals from the letters, spaces the width of the letter “C” or hyphens may be used between the prefix and the number, and between the number and the suffix. • Letters and numerals must be block characters at least three inches high. Choose a color for the letters and numbers that will contrast well with the hull or backing plate color of your vessel. In determining height and contrast, any border, trim, outlining or shading around the number shall not be considered. • If placement on a flared bow would make the number difficult to read, it should be affixed on some other part of the forward half of the vessel where it can be easily read. • For PWCs, the numbers and stickers must also be affixed on each side of the

CORRECT DISPLAY OF NUMBER MUSSEL FEE STICKER REGISTRATION STICKER

C F 5 5 7 6 J S

C F - 5 5 7 6 - J S

STARBOARD SIDE

PORT SIDE

57